7 Instances When Indian Batsmen Scored More Than 50% Runs Of Team Total In An ODI

It’s rather bizarre when one batsman’s score is more than half of the team’s total. But surprisingly, there have been plenty of such instances in One-day international cricket. In such games, the batsmen have not only ended as the top-scorers for their side but also have made over 50% of runs for their outfit.

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In such matches, either the entire team fails apart from one batsman or one player carries the fortunes of the whole outfit upon his/her shoulder. Over the years, players from not only other countries but also from India have made it to this interesting piece of the list.

We take a look at seven instances when Indian batsmen have scored over 50 % of runs of team total in ODIs:

Rohit Sharma – 208* (53.06) vs Sri Lanka

The unbeaten knock of 208 in 2017 was Rohit Sharma’s third double-hundred in ODIs and second against Sri Lanka. The 33-year old opened the innings and batted till the 50th over in Mohali to level the series after the hosts meekly surrendered in the first game.

Even though there were notable contributions from Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer, having made 68 and 88 respectively to take India to 392. However, Rohit Sharma’s magnificent 153-ball knock remained the highlight and comprised of precisely 53.06% of the team’s total.

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Rohit Sharma – 209 (54.56) vs Australia

It was this match which marked the rise of Rohit Sharma as an ODI behemoth. His promotion to the top of the order began paying rich dividends gradually and it came full circle when the 33-year old scored 209 against Australia. Rohit’s 158-ball innings in the seven-match series decider in Bengaluru in 2013 contained 16 sixes.

The whirlwind innings of 62 off 38 deliveries from captain MS Dhoni also played a part in propelling the hosts to 383, which was a winning total. Nevertheless, Rohit Sharma stole the show as he joined Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar as ODI double-centurions. The Mumbai batsman’s knock was 54.56% of the side’s total.

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Rohit Sharma – 171* (55.33%) vs Australia

Yet again Rohit Sharma’s masterclass innings makes it to the list. On this occasion, the right-handed batsman worked his magic at the WACA in Perth in 2016. An inexperienced Australian attack felt the wrath of Rohit Sharma as he finished unbeaten on 171; however, India could only make 309.

Virat Kohli chipped in with 91, but none of the other batsmen could even cross 20. The 33-year old mustered 55.33 out of the team’s total in a losing effort. The then Australian captain Steve Smith spearheaded the chase with 149 alongside George Bailey, who scored 112 to win by five wickets.

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MS Dhoni – 65 (58.03%) vs Sri Lanka

MS Dhoni has often carried the team’s hopes on his shoulders, boasting a reputation of taking the game deep. Against Sri Lanka in Dharamshala in 2017, the former Indian captain had a massive responsibility to take his side to triple figures as they were reeling at 29-7 at one point.

At number six, MS Dhoni mustered 65 off 87 deliveries that included ten fours and a couple of sixes. It wasn’t enough to prevent a seven-wicket defeat to their Asian counterparts; however, the 38-year old’s knock guided India to 112 on a green pitch. Dhoni’s runs in that game constituted of 58.03% of the team’s total.

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Sourav Ganguly – 153 (58.62%) vs New Zealand

This was one of the most bizarre matches and a peculiar Indian batting card. Sourav Ganguly’s 153 off 150 balls in Gwalior in 1999 headlined India’s first innings total of 261. Robin Singh was the only other batsman, who passed 20 while captain Sachin Tendulkar scored a single off 23 deliveries. Meanwhile, Ganguly’s knock comprised of 58.62% runs off the team’s aggregate.

New Zealand began their pursuit of 262 with a 99-run opening wicket stand. Nathan Astle’s 97 kept them in the hunt before his departure in the 37th over put them on the backfoot. The hosts eventually won the match by 14 runs.

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Rohit Sharma – 264 (65.34%) vs Sri Lanka

On November 13th 2014, Rohit Sharma knew no bounds as he took the Sri Lankan attack apart single-handedly and flattened them. The 33-year old had a massive slice of luck in the fifth over as Thisara Perera dropped him on 4 at the third man. From there on, Rohit went on to score 260 runs that stands as an individual record score in the format.

Virat Kohli’s 66 and Ajinkya Rahane’s 28 were the only other notable contributions on the hosts’ way to 404. But Rohit Sharma’s unforgettable knock that lit the Eden Gardens’s crowd in Kolkata overshadowed everything. His 264 made up a substantial 65.34 % of the team’s total that proved to be more than enough for Sri Lanka.

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Kapil Dev – 175 (65.78%) vs Zimbabwe

On 18th June 1983, Kapil Dev showed what a captain’s knock actually meant. Zimbabwe stunned the crowd at Tunbridge Wells by reducing India to 17-5 with the first five batsmen accounting for single-figure scores. The Haryana Hurricane launched an onslaught against the Zimbabweans that would be remembered for ages.

The Indian captain mustered 175 off only 138 deliveries that contained 16 fours and six sixes. With the help of minimal but pivotal contributions from Roger Binny and Syed Kirmani, India were able to put on a respectable 266-8. The Indians emerged victorious by 31 runs helped by the skipper, who saved their blushes. Kapil Dev’s 175 made up a considerable 65.78% of the team’s total.

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